5 from 56 votes
Chicken Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing
This Chicken Pasta Salad blends cooked macaroni with shredded chicken, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables like celery, bell pepper, and carrots, plus shredded cheddar cheese. The creamy dressing combines mayonnaise, sour cream, cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and seasonings to create a tangy and rich coating. The salad is served chilled or at room temperature, offering a flavorful, textured dish suitable for potlucks, lunches, or picnics.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Servings:
10
- 12
Calories:
548 kcal
Course:
Main Course, Salad, Lunch
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 500g / 1 lb macaroni pasta or other pasta of choice, or elbow pasta
- 1 tbsp salt (to cook pasta)
Pasta Salad:
- 3 cups chicken shredded or finely chopped (Note 1, cooked
- 150g / 5 oz Bacon , chopped
- 2 celery finely sliced, stalks
- 1 red bell pepper finely diced, or capsicum
- 2 green onions , finely sliced
- 2 carrot medium), shredded using standard box grater
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded; or tasty, Colby cheese
- 2 avocado small/medium), cut into bite size pieces (optional
DRESSING:
- 1 cup mayonnaise , whole egg best (Hellmann's, Best Foods, S&W or other whole egg mayonnaise)
- 1 cup sour cream , full fat (low fat ok too)
- 3 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 4 tsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add salt, then cook pasta per packet directions. Drain well, let cool.
- Dressing: Mix Dressing ingredients in a bowl. Set aside 10 minutes+.
- Cook bacon: Place bacon in a cold non-stick skillet (Note X). Turn stove on to medium high, then cook bacon until golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Toss! Place cooked pasta in a large bowl along with all the Pasta Salad ingredients, reserving some bacon for garnish. Pour over Dressing, then toss well.
- Set aside for 20 minutes. Transfer to serving bowl, sprinkle with remaining bacon. Serve!
- Storage: Keeps for 3 - 4 days in the fridge. Best to bring to room temp before serving!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Store the chicken pasta salad in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, bringing to room temperature before serving.
- Use store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenient shredded cooked chicken, or poach your own if preferred.
- Start bacon cooking in a cold skillet for best rendered fat without extra oil.
- For a mayo-free dressing, substitute with a creamy yogurt-based dressing like Yogurt Ranch or Yogurt Potato Salad style.
- Not suitable for freezing due to texture changes in the salad ingredients upon thawing.
Nutrition Information
Calories
548cal
(27%)
Carbohydrates
37g
(12%)
Protein
24g
(48%)
Fat
33g
(51%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
76mg
(25%)
Sodium
1355mg
(56%)
Potassium
410mg
(9%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
2390IU
(48%)
Vitamin C
16mg
(18%)
Calcium
183mg
(18%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10 - 12
Amount Per Serving
Calories 548
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 548cal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 76mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 1355mg | 56% |
| Potassium | 410mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 2390IU | 48% |
| Vitamin C | 16mg | 18% |
| Calcium | 183mg | 18% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.